If you already have your plans drawn and your contractor selected, Amarant Design & Build Center can provide you with competitive pricing on all your finishing touches: including cabinets, plumbing, electrical, flooring and countertops. You are invited to visit our showroom, where you can see many top-quality selections up close and inspect finishes in-person.

If you are a “do-it-yourselfer,” Amarant Design & Build Centers can assist you with your designs and layouts, help you select finishes, and offer you competitively priced products. Designing to fit your budget can be a daunting task, and we are prepared to advise you!

All Projects Begin as an Idea…

For every project there is a reason. It may have been stirred by a long time desire, a dream or perhaps a vision. The idea may have come from a magazine, a TV show or even a friend's house. Whatever it was that got you thinking about creating a new environment, it was first conceived as just a thought.

Now that you have an idea of what you like and what you want, how do you turn it into a reality?

THE ABC's OF BUILDING PROJECTS

A. Drawing Your Dream

Even before you consult a designer, you can begin by collecting pictures from design magazines or even sketching out your ideas. Sit back, close your eyes and imagine yourself inside your remodeled space. Think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect your daily life. Consider the different traffic patterns. If you are adding square footage, how will the new construction will affect the overall experience of your home? An oversized addition may overwhelm your house. It is important to avoid crowding your lot and blend aspects of the old and new. We use a professional design program called Chief Architect. There is a scaled down version from Better Homes and Gardens called Home Designer which is available to purchase for home use. This software will greatly help you visualize your project. Also, the information you enter can be uploaded to our system, saving time and money.

B. Be Realistic

Misaligned expectations are the number one reason projects become frustrating and relationships between the home owner and the contractor fail. It is important to have a clear and concise understanding of what you want and what you are paying for. Our methodology incorporates a clear and exact explanation of what is included in your contract, whether you are able to read and interpret blue print drawings, or only understand a modest bit of the architectural process. Be assured that you will get what you want, within budget and in writing that you can understand. Overall, our goal is to guide you into and through a realistic project. Our system and approach will help remove the frustration, increase your confidence and make a clear pathway to a successful outcome. We will deliver the dream.

C. Think Ahead

Will the designs you draw today fit your future? Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. Alternately, your family's needs may be very different in a few years. A luxury bathroom can price your house beyond the values in your neighborhood. Some projects, such as vinyl siding on a Queen Anne Victorian, will actually decrease the value of your home. These are viable concerns and consulting a contractor with experience may help you determine your best choices.

Our practice includes the buying, improving and selling of real estate. Through the years, we have developed a multitude of properties. Therefore, we are in touch with market values and will assist you in determining what kind of impact your investment may have on the re-sale value of your home. We make it a point to discuss the ROI (return on investment) and the growing needs of your family. We don't want to be just a design and build firm, we want to become your trusted advisor in home matters.

D. Count Your Money

Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Before you set your heart on high-end ceramic tile, decide how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns. Some must-have items might wipe out your savings account, and you may want to explore home improvement loans and find out about financing options.

Our fundamental line-item pricing can help you specify your selections and establish a realistic budget before we begin building. With a fixed bid contract and a well defined Project Narrative, you will feel more comfortable making financial decisions during the course of construction and know precisely what the extent of your budget is.

E. Choose Your Team

Unless you plan to take on the entire remodeling project by yourself, you'll need to hire help. Naturally, you'll want to make sure that workers you hire are qualified, licensed, and properly insured; but finding the best team for your remodeling project goes beyond a simple reference check. Some architects or designers may have designs and visions very different from your own. We believe that listening is a priority and one of our most important responsibilities, and aim to design based on your priorities and build exactly what you want.

F. Negotiate a Contract

Whether you plan a simple carpentry job or a major project requiring the services of an interior designer and a general contractor, misunderstandings can lead to disaster. Never begin remodeling without a written contract. Make sure everyone agrees on the work that will be completed and how long it will take.

Our formulated approach clearly defines each and every selection you will have to make. Our Project Narrative will explain to you what is and isn't included in the project contract simply and truthfully. Each category in our Project Narrative relates to a line item on the Detailed Project Cost sheet. It should not only affirm the brand and model of sink you have chosen, but how much you are paying for it as well.

G. Get Permission

In most cases, a legal permit is required before you make structural changes to your home. The building permit assures that the remodeling project meets local building codes and safety regulations. If you live in a historic district, the permit also assures that exterior changes to your home are in keeping with neighborhood guidelines. General contractors will usually take care of the paperwork, but small time workers may not, and the permits could become your responsibility.

Most municipalities require plans to be submitted and approved. This can be intimidating to someone who doesn't have the formal training. There are code compliance issues, Title 24 worksheets, possible structural details and calculations; all of which might require the assistance of a licensed professional. As a general practice, we take all of this into consideration and offer the most cost effective approach.

H. Anticipate Bumps and Hiccups

The larger the remodeling project, the greater the chances for unforeseen circumstances to arise. There can be equipment breakdowns, supply shortages, products shipped in mismarked boxes, and numerous other potential delays. Even though you took precautions, small disruptions can always occur. We promise to do our best, to be pro-active and to avoid as many quirks and quakes as we can along the way.

I. Rules of Engagement

It is always a good idea to include in your contract, a few friendly rules for the workers. We establish where they may park their trucks and store their equipment, as well as determine how we can best work around you and your family. You may want to relocate during the entire process or perhaps for just a few days. Remodeling can be the test of a good marriage! Making lots of important decisions can be overwhelming, and we suggest that you plan for ways to indulge yourself when managing your project becomes trying. Schedule a day at a spa or reserve a night at a romantic bed & breakfast inn. Go ahead, you deserve it!

J. Building a Relationship

Trust between the client, the contractor and the crew is paramount. At Amarant Design & Build Center, trust is the foundation of the bridge between us. A lot of elements are moving all at once during a construction project, and we rely on your trust. Our Detailed Project Cost sheet and Project Narratives will keep you updated on all your design choices and costs. Allow us to lead and guide you through this experience. Trust will help keep your project on track and on target.

Trust is established with good, clear and honest communication. From the beginning of our relationship, Amarant Design & Build Center will make every effort to keep you well informed. We do not hesitate to put you first, keeping you fully advised on what is best for you and your family and assisting you with every aspect of your home renovation or construction project.

We look forward to building your dreams and hope to create a lifelong relationship!!!